Hi. I recently had a soil test for our vegetable and flower garden, and our potassium is very low (K

Hello! I am hoping you can help answer my question or point me in the right direction. We moved into a home in a new development in March 2022. Shortly after moving in, we planted 10 giant arborvitae trees in the backyard on our property line. Within about 3 months all ten trees died. Fortunately, the landscaper replaced all of them and we chalked it up to a batch of bad trees. 10 new trees were planted and were doing fine until last fall when one started turning brown and died. Two additional trees next to the dead tree are now dying, and a fourth one, also next to the original dying tree has just started to turn brown. From my own research and from speaking with landscapers and neighbors who planted the same kind of tree, it's highly unusual for these trees to die in our area -- they are almost foolproof. I've had two landscapers suggest one of two things -- one, that the builders or construction company may have dumped chemicals in the area where the dying trees are located; or, that some unhealthy-looking pine trees immediately behind the dying arborvitae are spreading a disease. I would very much appreciate some guidance and whether soil testing is a first step. We need to have the dead trees removed but I don't want to replant anything in this area until we have some answers. Many thanks in advance.

Hello, I live in Silver Spring, MD and would love advice regarding the selection of vine(s) for two separate parts of my yard. In one location, I’m interested in softening the appearance of the East/south corner of my brick house. Is like to plant an evergreen vine, some that has year round interest. I know that I would need to train/prune the vine to keep it in check, but would like to find one that doesn’t require frequent maintenance, and one that doesn’t damage the brick/wood on my house. In the second location, I would like a vine with the same characteristics, but the exposure (west/south, but shaded by neighboring house) is considerably more shady.

I am removing a railroad tie terrace and replacing with stone boulders, is the soil safe to plant vegetables to be consumed? Is there a time where that soil will be safe?

I live in Fulton, md 20759. I have three shrubs hydrangea shrubs from Proven Winners named CityLines Paris Bigleaf - a macrophylla. I have these shrubs for 3 years in somewhat shallow planters, but with large root balls. shrubs are very small in size (8”x8”) and have never flowered. I never cut down the old branches (5-6” long at most) but this spring I have pruned the branches. Last year I changed the planter soil to more gritty with peat humus and Kow Manure from Lowe’s,and proven winners potting soil, I have used slow release and general fertilizer this year. Manure and fertilizers in small amounts. Again the shrubs have crowded leaves at bottom center with very small (approx. 1/2” ) and overcrowded crippled leaves at center of the shrub. This time I have pruned the shrubs - more like cut off tiny twigs that didn’t have any leaf buds. -photo attached I have two other hydrangea ‘tree’ - guessing microphylla They were bought by my daughter. When she brought them - last spring - they were planted in 28” planters,and were flowering nicely. Now this spring, same problem as the other three on top - very small Curley leaves at the bottom center! I do want to add that 3 hydrangea are at the back of the house and 2 tree hydrangea at front of the house, never got planted on same side. - photos included 1. Is it overwatering? It is all the rains this year - don’t have a greenhouse. But never watered the shrubs myself. 2. Or is it some kind of disease. Is there some solution to fix it (I do not use chemicals) 3. Or should I throw them out? Even then I will have to know what is wrong to fix it.

Over the years, I have had some grub issues in my lawn. Usually, I would treat the lawn with grub ex late Fall. I was wondering would it be a better idea to treat with a grub preventer now ( April) instead.

Good morning! I have had this sage plant for a couple of years and it generally produces, but it seems to never thrive. It has mostly small leaves and I have noticed that it’s gotten quite woody at the bottom – all the new growth it’s coming towards the top, would you recommend any kind of prune? Again it does OK, but it’s just not bushy and flourishing as I might like. Perhaps of note, it did suffer from powdery mildew last summer, but I was able to get rid of it. thank you!

I am struggling to find answers online for labeling the flower group and pollinating partners for the Kudos, Sweet Tango, Triumph and Norkent Apple trees. Would you have this detail?

Hi there

I planted 2 queen of diamonds culver's root plants before I knew there were problems with nativars. Are these plants sterile or should I get rid of? I've also got a 'ruby sippers' supposedly native hydrangea. Same question. It's not going to survive where it is anyway, but I thought I'd ask.

Thank you!

Stuart

My yard (in Lyndhurst) is being invaded by what I'm pretty sure is Lesser Celandine. I've seen it around my neighborhood but not in my yard until the last two years. It started in the woods at the back of my property but now it is popping up in my lawn. I've heard you can't kill it... that you have to dig it out without leaving any tubers behind but that's impossible. I'd need a bull dozer. Is there anything I can do?